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Muncie council adopts ordinance requiring sponsors to sign or file ordinances after sustained public pressure
Summary
After months of debate and a flood of public comments, the Muncie Common Council suspended the rules and adopted Ordinance 6-26, which requires a sponsoring council member to personally file or sign ordinances and attach supporting documentation to increase transparency.
The Muncie Common Council on March 2 adopted Ordinance 6-26, a change to the city code that requires sponsoring council members to submit ordinances personally or through their official email and attach supporting documents when filing.
Council President Jeff Green opened the item and invited public comment before the council voted to suspend the rules and adopt the measure the same night. Dozens of residents urged immediate passage, saying the change would prevent future procedural confusion and restore public trust. "I come in support of Ordinance 6-26," said Seth Rollins, who told the council the rule is “a small win” that would increase accountability. Christopher Bilbury told the council the ordinance resolved an issue citizens had raised repeatedly since September: "Vote for this thing. Suspend the rules and pass this thing tonight," he said.
Linda Daniel, secretary of the Opioid Fund Advisory Committee, and other speakers praised the council’s renewed openness to public input, and several residents urged the council to avoid further amendments that would dilute the ordinance's intent. "A vote against this ordinance represents a vote against transparency," said Ellen Whitehead.
The council conducted roll calls during the meeting’s business and carried motions to introduce and then adopt the ordinance after members moved to suspend the rules. President Green and a majority of council members voted to adopt the change.
Why it matters: Supporters say the ordinance clarifies who is accountable for filing measures and prevents defeated items from being reintroduced without clear sponsor consent. Opponents were not recorded in the meeting comments; several speakers and members asked legal staff about whether the ordinance required unanimous consent when it reintroduced previously defeated legislation. The city attorney advised that, as drafted, the current version of 6-26 did not require unanimous consent and would proceed by a simple majority.
Council next steps: The council did not place additional amendments on the adopted text during the March 2 session. The ordinance will be incorporated into the Muncie code as written; staff said additional administrative guidance from the clerk’s office will follow as needed.
